In response to Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown’s comments on Alabama’s Trent Richardson, long-time Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders says that the Browns’ recent third-overall selection is far from “ordinary.”
“I see a guy built in my frame, around 5-foot-10, built very well,” said Sanders. “He’s one of those smaller guys who could be one those guys who can run inside. He ran well inside in college. Kind of reminds me of Maurice Jones-Drew — very compact who runs a lot bigger than he is.”
Sanders, who retired as the second-leading rusher in NFL history, made a living out of being a diminutive three-down, home run-hitting back. While the style of play has changed since he (and Brown) played, Sanders stated that the lack of “impact” running backs in the league could be due to play-calling. Per Sanders, Richardson, who excelled in the SEC, has the potential to step into the NFL and be an impact player from Day One.
[Related: Browns Select Trent Richardson #3 in the 2012 NFL Draft]


